Andrey Arshavin can skip Euro 2008

A serious violation of the rules of the game, and this is how the actions of the Russian national team football player Andrei Arshavin can be called in a match with Andorra, who reacted to the Ildens Lima and hit the opponent with his foot, in addition to removal, is usually punishable by disqualification for a period of more than one match.

For example, the defender Yuri Nikiforov, in November 1996, which crashed an opponent from the national team of Luxembourg in the legs, later missed two official games. Forward of Russian youth, Alexander Bukharov, who was removed in the butt meeting Che-2006 with the Danes for the rude opponent’s attack from the back without trying to play the ball, received a disqualification for three matches.

The same punishment (three games) provides for Article 10 of the current disciplinary regulation of UEFA. However, in the same document there is article 17, stating that "the disciplinary measures listed in Articles 10 and 11BIS are standard sanctions. Depending on the circumstances, they can be softened or reinforced." Thus, a lot depends on how the reason for the removal of Arshavin explained in his report the arbitrator of the match and what the UEFA delegate wrote in the report, writes Sport-Express .

A certain role in the consideration of the case should be played by lawyers of the RFU. After all, a three-match disqualification (the passage of comradely games will not be taken into account) can actually put a cross on the participation of the captain of the national team in the final tournament Che-2008. In this case, he will not take part in the group stage, and, depending on the speech of the Russian team at this stage, this may mean the pass of the entire championship.

The decision to punish Arshavin will probably be made at the next meeting of the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Committee on December 13.